Best time to go

Malaysia sits just north of the equator, so temperatures are warm and humid all year round. The wet and dry seasons vary from one part of the country to
the next. Check the average temperature and rainfall in the area
you're planning to visit.

Peak seasons:

December/January:
West coast Peninsular Malaysia.

June/July:
East coast Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Borneo).

The west coast of Peninsular Malaysia (including Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and the islands of Penang, Langkawi and Tioman) generally experience their monsoon
rains between May and October. The rain tends to be heaviest towards the end of the season.

The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia experiences its monsoon from November to March. During the wet season, much of the accommodation on the eastern
islands (including the Perhentian Islands) is likely to be closed or inaccessible due to rough seas.

East Malaysia (Borneo) generally experiences its monsoon between October and March, with the heaviest rain in January.

Sudden downpours can come at any time, anywhere in the country - even during the dry season.

The Cameron Highlands are the only area of the country that gets particularly chilly, with temperatures dropping to around 15°C overnight.

Air pollution, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, can be bad at any time of year, but between June and October there's an increased risk of severe smoke haze
caused by illegal slash-and-burn land clearing in nearby Indonesia.

During the month of Ramadan (dates change each year), many Malaysians fast throughout the day. Some restaurants and cafes may be
closed, at least until the evening.

The festival of Hari Raya Puasa (Eid) marks the end of Ramadan and is when many locals take a week-long holiday. Expect crowded roads, higher hotel
prices and more difficulty getting bookings.

Chinese New Year (dates change each year) is also a busy time as many
Malaysians are ethnic-Chinese.

Christmas day is a public holiday and the season is a peak time due to the number of international visitors.

Culture

Malaysia is made up of a diverse mix of ethnic Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures.

60% of the population is Muslim, with Buddhists, Christians and Hindus making up most of the remaining 40%.

Malaysian people dress and behave conservatively. Outside of tourist resorts, showing too much skin is frowned upon. Long sleeves (at least to the elbow)
and long trousers/skirts (at least to the knee) are standard for both men and women. Tight clothing is also considered quite risqué, particularly for
women. Dress standards are more relaxed in the cities than in rural areas.

You should dress respectfully and remove your shoes when visiting mosques. Women will be asked to wear a cloak and headdress, which most mosques are
happy to provide to visitors.

Public displays of affection (anything more than holding hands) are not appropriate.

Raising your voice or making a scene is considered extremely embarrassing for all involved, so try to keep your cool if you have a disagreement with
someone.

Other cultural taboos include touching a person's head, eating with your left hand, pointing with your finger, and not removing your shoes before
entering a person's home.

Many Muslim Malaysians fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan ( dates change each year). Some cafes and restaurants will shut during the day but the streets usually
liven up in the evenings when people break their fast. Tip: Chinese Malaysians don't observe Ramadan, so you'll always be able to find Chinese food during
the day.

Tipping is not expected, but it's appreciated. Restaurants often add a service charge of 10%.

Most Malaysians are multilingual, with English, Mandarin, Cantonese or Tamil likely to be their second language. In cities and tourist areas you should
have no trouble finding people who can speak English.

The Malaysian language is written in the same alphabet as English, so you'll be able to read street signs and maps.

Health and safety

Most areas of Malaysia are relatively safe, but smartraveller.com.au advises
against traveling to some parts of East Malaysia (Borneo) and to the region beyond the Thai border, where violence and kidnapping are a risk.

Public hospitals are run by well-trained staff, but wait times are likely to be long. Quality health care may be hard to find in remote areas. Private
hospitals with English-speaking staff are available in the cities and tourist areas (see contacts below). You'll need to pay a deposit up-front or show
proof of travel insurance.

Medical tourism, particularly for dental and cosmetic procedures, is becoming increasingly popular because of the lower hospital fees in Malaysia.

The tap water in Malaysia is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or boiled water and ask for no ice in your drinks.

Mosquitoes can spread dengue fever, malaria and Japanese encephalitis. Take steps to avoid bites and speak to a travel doctor about whether or not you
need a vaccination or prophylactic. The risk of malaria is greater in rural areas than in the cities or coastal areas.

Air pollution can be a problem in Kuala Lumpur. Smoke haze caused by illegal slash-and-burn land clearing in nearby Indonesia sometimes creates dangerous
conditions across the whole country, particularly between June and October. Check the Malaysian Environment Department website for air quality reports.

Safety standards aren't always up to scratch when it comes to buses, cars, motorbikes, jet-skis, boats and scuba diving equipment.

For the latest health and safety advice about Malaysia, including disease outbreaks, natural disasters and civil unrest, check smartraveller.gov.au

Laws and watchouts

Laws

Drugs are strictly illegal and traffickers face a mandatory death penalty. It's even illegal to have drugs in your system, and travellers have occasionally
been subjected to urine tests on arrival in the country.

Some aspects of Sharia (Islamic) law are in place throughout Malaysia and are particularly enforced in Kelantan and Terengganu states. Some of the
religious laws only apply to Muslims, others apply to all people, including foreigners.

Watchouts

You're a little less likely to be scammed in Malaysia than you would be in some other south-east Asian countries, but theft is still a problem,
particularly in the cities.

'Snatch and grab' robberies are committed by thieves driving motorbikes. To avoid being targeted, walk on the inside edge of the footpath and carry your
bag on the arm that's away from the curb.

'Smash and grab' attacks are also made on slow-moving cars. Keep doors and windows locked and don't leave valuables on the seat.

By law, all taxis should have a working meter. Unfortunately, many drivers refuse to use them and will insist on negotiating a flat (and often inflated)
fare. If your taxi is metered, watch out for unscrupulous drivers who may take the scenic route or even have a hidden button that adds a few extra ringgit
to the fare.

Always cover the keypad when using ATMs, and never let your credit card out of your site when paying at restaurants.

Some tourists have reported being searched by 'tourist police' only to discover their money has gone missing, or worse - they've had drugs planted on
them and are made to pay a fine (ie. bribe). If anyone tries to search you, insist that they take you to a police station or get straight on the phone to
the actual police.

Some not-so-street-smart tourists have fallen victim to gambling scams after being convinced by friendly card sharks that they can't lose.

Tourist traps are many and varied, and often quite creative. Read our article on scams around the world, or search travel forums such as Tripadvisor for the latest warnings from travelers to Malaysia.

If you have a problem with a taxi driver, take down their ID and licence plate number and contact the taxi company.

If your gripe is with an Australian or international tour operator, airline, or booking site, follow the usual procedures for making a complaint or seeking
compensation.

Emergency contacts

Malaysia country code: +60

Police/Ambulance:
999 (112 from a mobile)

Fire:
994 (112 from a mobile)

Tourist police hotline:
+ 60 3 2149 6590 / Enquiries +60 3 2149 6593

Operators may not speak English. If you don't have an interpreter, call your hotel, your insurance provider, an English-speaking hospital or the tourist
police. Public ambulances may be slow and ill-equipped so consider catching a taxi to hospital if you can.

Hospitals and clinics

Public hospitals have well-trained staff, some of whom may speak English, but wait times are likely to be long. There are many private hospitals and
clinics throughout Malaysia you'll find one in most cities and tourist centres.